Is the Morbid Obesity Surgery Profitable in Times of Crisis? A Cost-benefit Analysis of Bariatric Surgery

Abstract Morbid obesity is a serious health problem whose prevalence is increasing. Expensive co-morbidities are associated to these patients, as well as a reduction in the survival. Bariatric surgery resolves the co-morbidities (type 2 diabetes mellitus, 86.6%; cardiovascular risk, 79.0%; obstructi...

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Published inCirugia española (English ed.) Vol. 91; no. 8; pp. 476 - 484
Main Authors Sánchez-Santos, Raquel, Sabench Pereferrer, Fátima, Estévez Fernandez, Sergio, del Castillo Dejardin, Daniel, Vilarrasa, Nuria, Frutos Bernal, Dolores, Ruiz de Adana, Juan Carlos, Masdevall Noguera, Carlos, Torres García, Antonio
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier España, S.L.U 01.10.2013
Subjects
Bariatric surgery
Cirugía bariátrica
Cost-effectiveness
Cost-utility
Coste-efectividad
Coste-utilidad
Morbid obesity
Obesidad mórbida
Surgery
Coste-utilidad
Cirugía bariátrica
Obesidad mórbida
Bariatric surgery
Coste-efectividad
Morbid obesity
Cost-effectiveness
Cost-utility
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Summary:Abstract Morbid obesity is a serious health problem whose prevalence is increasing. Expensive co-morbidities are associated to these patients, as well as a reduction in the survival. Bariatric surgery resolves the co-morbidities (type 2 diabetes mellitus, 86.6%; cardiovascular risk, 79.0%; obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, 83.6%; hypertension, 61.7%), reduces the mortality rate (among 31%–40%), and increases the morbid obese patients survival over a 10-years period. It provides significant savings for the National Health System. The obese patients consume a 20% plus of health resources and 68% plus of drugs than general population. Bariatric surgery requires an initial investment (diagnosis-related group cost: 7468€), but it is recovered in a cost-effectiveness ratio of 2.5 years. Significant savings are obtained from the third year. To the direct economic benefits associated with reduced health expenditures an increase in tax collection should be added (sick leave and unemployment reduction are estimated in 18%, with a productivity increase of 57% for self-employed people). Bariatric surgery is one of the most cost-effective procedures in the healthcare system.
ISSN:2173-5077
2173-5077
DOI:10.1016/j.cireng.2013.02.001